Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Flakes - Not Just for Dandruff

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I'm almost completely unpacked. I'm down to living room books, bedding and laundry, if the box labels can be believed. (Bow before my crazy mad unpacking skills.)

This is possibly a new personal unpacking record. I credit a caffeine rush fueled by copious amounts of Diet Dr. Pepper and the fact that until about an hour ago, I had no internet. NO INTERNET FOR FOUR DAYS people.

It freaked me out to be so cut off. How would I get information? About things? And places? And hours things were open? And locations of stuff? What if I urgently needed to post something on Craigslist?

I needed some information last night and I couldn't find it in the phone book. I had no idea what to do. I paced for a while. I talked to myself. I repeatedly tried to bring up Google on my computer, on the off-chance that the internet might be working, sighing each time I saw the PAGE NOT FOUND error. "Would you look at that," I would mutter in surprise, "I don't have internet."

It was a frightening time. I'm glad it's over, but I think it was kind of good to unhook the internet IV for a couple of days. It was kind of cleansing, like a good enema.

(Um. I've never actually HAD an enema. It just sounded funny.)

(I just thought I should clarify.)

(Because I don't want you all sitting there thinking about me having an enema. That's just not a mental picture anyone should have.)

(So I should probably stop talking about it, don't you think?)

It feels so good to be home. Tonight I let my kids stay out until long past their bedtime. It was a beautiful night and they were having so much fun with a gang of neighborhood kids. I was making brownies (so domestic) (also, no internet) and had the screen door open. I could hear them all out there playing some kind of game on the trampoline - with much laughing and giggling and shrieking and carrying on. It was music to my ears.

I was a little surprised to realize that I'm kind of embarrassed about the whole fiasco. I didn't think I would be, but I am. I guess I thought I'd sort of evolved past caring what people think.

OK, fine, maybe it's that a little. In retrospect, coming out of the blog closet and giving everyone my blog address right before we moved might have been just a tad hasty.

But really, I think it's more that I feel so badly for imposing on people twice. Asking people who helped us move out a few months ago to help us move back in. Seeing people who came to my farewell night out and having to say, "Oh, HI! Good to see you! Oh, by the way, that whole moving thing? JUST KIDDING." (And if someone gave me a farewell gift, should I give it back? Because really, what if they think this was all just a ruse to get them to send me stuff?) Should I hang the completely wonderful picture they all signed for me when I left, or would that just be weird now that we're back? SO MANY QUESTIONS.

Walking around the neighborhood on the fourth of July, running into friends and acquaintances, waving to people driving by in their cars - it felt so good. Seeing the kids with their friends and realizing we are back home, next door to the most awesome neighbors ever (more on that tomorrow)? Worth every drop of embarrassment.

I hope people haven't written us off as THAT family, but if the price for all of this happiness is being known as the neighborhood flake, then I'll take it. I'll embrace it. Here I am, Highland.

Again.

Ready or not.

P.S. I had no idea about this until I just read my blog buddy Suburban Correspondent's posts (and I have to thank her for saying such nice things about me, even as she kicks my tailfeathers), but apparently I've been nominated for an award. Of some kind. I'm not sure if I actually win anything or not, but HEY, there's voting. I'm totally losing. It's kind of like high school all over again, but online. So go vote for me. (Or not.) (Whichever.) (I don't want to pressure you.) (Much.) Apparently, you can vote every day until the 11th. (I know you're all rushing out to write that on your calendars, right? I THOUGHT SO.)

Oh, Sue! I'm so glad you're back --both at home and on-line. I'm on vacation (well, some would call it a vacation) and I still checked on you every day.

Dude, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. It's the worst financial crisis our entire country has seen in many, many years. It's happening all over to people just like you--hard working, good parents who just got caught in the machine.

Hang in there. Heck, if my house in Austin never sells, I might just be joining you.

I just returned from a vacation through SLC and down into Vegas and I thought about you out there somewhere packing or unpacking or driving and I had happy thoughts for you and your return home. You've stressed enough the past few months. Just enjoy it.

I stumbled across your blog yesterday, and I’m now vowing to be a daily reader. Your posts are so entertaining! I read a few of your older posts out loud to my hubby last night and we were both cracking up!

I’m glad you guys got re-settled back home. If you were in my neighborhood, no one would have even noticed that you had left and come back. (What does that say about my neighborhood?!) Just pretend you went on a vacation or something – you just packed a bit too much. :-)

I'm really glad you're back. Don't worry about the embarrassment, everyone has been through something like that at one time or another. I know WE have. I just didn't tell anyone. We need to go to lunch soon, o.k.?

The people who gave you things and signed the picture are the ones who are so glad that you're back. Everyone else? Let 'em think what they want. So glad you're back online! Oh, and I totally voted for you - you are the funniest person I don't know. ;)

Welcome back home. Now get cracking on setting up an aunts/sisters/cousins/ thing, girl. It was a great idea and I since I no longer have a large home to host such events, it's up to you, girl. I'm happy to help with the planning.

I can totally relate to not having internet. I didn't have access for at least 5 days during our recent move. I was totally freaking out and definitely cranky about it.

Yes, I bet all your neighbors are thinking, "I'm so sure! I can't believe that Sue would pack up all her things and move to Las Vegas just to get a $9 candle going away gift. I'll never get her a going away gift again."silly girl!

That is a quick unpacking job! Good for you. It must feel SO wonderful to be back in your old neighborhood. And I wouldn't feel embarassed a bit. This has been a rough time for everyone in this terrible economy and I'd have some very nasty words for the bankers who put your family through all this when it was obvious it could have worked out in an easier way.

If anything, I view you as someone who just won an AWESOME lottery or something. I've never heard of anyone who lost their home and then somehow got it back.

My husband keeps hinting that it may be time to send the computer away or kill the Internet. Noooo! Instant knowledge (actually merely near-instant, I have dial-up), friends, blogs, weird news. I can't even imagine being cut off.

I just discovered your blog via another blog, which I discovered via another blog which I discovered via my friend's blog--hey, it's a small world! At any rate, I find your blog hilarious, I think you are great, keep blogging and I'll keep reading!

Wow, you deserve an unpacking award! It's amazing how much I accomplish when I pretend my internet is broken. I'm sure everyone is just thrilled to have you back. It sounds absolutely wonderful, I'm so happy for you. (ps, going to vote for you)

Sue, I found you via Suburban Correspondant's post about the voting. I can soooo identify with you about the financial crisis. I'm still at the "caring what people think stage" but your past posts give me hope. Thanks girlfriend!

Listen the people who came to your going away party love you, I think you should proudly hand the gifts they gave you out in the open, you were thankful I am sure. I think you will be fine in a few weeks.

You ever heard of dooce.com? That girl from Salt Lake that blogs for a living and gets paid like 40K A MONTH just from her advertisers? She's got nothin' on you! I love your blog, and think YOU should get paid 40K a month for your brilliant, hilarious and honest posts! Welcome Home!Liz

Frankly, if I gave you a moving gift and you actually did move all your belongings to another state and then unpack all those belongings and then pack them all up again and the move them back to the original state and unpacked once again, phew, yeah, you can keep the gift.

And hang that picture with all the signatures, it's a bit of love and love is always good.

I just found you in the blogosphere, and I already love you. I'll probably figure this out as I read more, but I'll ask anyway: do you live in Utah? I'm from Logan, but moving to Cedar in two weeks. I love finding cool bloggers who happen to live in Utah...www.thewimmerfamily.blogspot.com